Despite the network change, former It’s Showtime host and ABS-CBN artist Billy Crawford paid tribute to Kapamilyas during the pilot episode of Lunch Out Loud on TV5.
While he was introducing himself as the new host of the Lunch Out Loud, Billy seemed to be very emotional.
“Gusto ko po na magpakilala sa inyo. Ako po si Billy Crawford, I’ve been in the business for 34 years now itong December. I started on GMA sa That’s Entertainment bilang child actor-star.
“Growing up, I was very blessed na nabigyan ako ng magandang opportunity to take on a musical career sa labas ng Pilipinas.”
He then went to thank ABS-CBN for being his second home, where he grew up and learned a great deal as an artist and host.
“After how many years, sa aking pagbabalik, buong puso akong tinanggap ng aking mga bagong Kapamilya, ang ABS-CBN, na tumayong parang pangalawang magulang ko na. Sa ABS-CBN po ako nag-grow bilang host.”
Crawford specially mentioned It’s Showtime where he originally learned to make people happy, particularly mentioning the other hosts of the program where he became a host for seven years.
“At sa ABS-CBN ko rin po nakilala, napamahal ang mga longtime friends ko—Bestie Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Jhong Hilario, Jugs Jugueta, Ryan Bang, Teddy Corpuz, Kuya Kim Atienza, Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai… At higit sa lahat, sa ABS-CBN ko po nakilala ang aking mahal na asawa.
“Kaya buong-puso ko pong gustong pasalamatan ang aking Kapamilya sa ABS-CBN sa pagtanggap, sa mahahalagang naituro po ninyo sa akin bilang host at bilang tao.”
Billy’s tribute just proves his recent statement that despite him having a new home there will be no competition between TV5 and ABS-CBN, especially since his new show has the same time slot as his former one.
“no such thing as rival here sa LOL,” he stated earlier.
Technically, Billy is a certified Kapatid artist because of his two TV5 programs: Lunch Out Loud and the reality singing competition Masked Singer Pilipinas. However, he clarified that he and his It’s Showtime family have a good relationship despite the change of network.
“Got to do what we got to feed my child my friend! And araw araw ko pa din kausap ang akin pamilya sa showtime. No competition here all Love!”
